I still remember the first time I saw a Simple Lock in Hollow Knight: Silksong. It was a smug little door in the Deep Docks, and I had no key. I had Rosaries, a needle, and a bad attitude, but none of that mattered. What good is a key if you forget where the lock is? And what good is a lock if you never find the key? As of 2026, Pharloom has not gotten any kinder, so I am writing down every Simple Key location and every Simple Lock use I have found, so you do not have to backtrack through a thousand crawling tunnels like I did.

Simple Keys are single-use, which is why I treat each one like a precious secret. There are only four in the game, and each one opens a specific door. If you waste one, you will feel it. So let us walk through the keys first, then the locks.

The Four Simple Keys of Pharloom

Key #
Location
Cost or Requirement
What to Remember

1
Bone Bottom
500 Rosaries
Buy from Pebb the merchant

2
Sinner's Road
Double jump or clawline
Top northeastern corner, survive the ambush

3
Sands of Karak
Quick traversal before the path vanishes
Far east bench, body of a dead bug

4
The Wandering Merchant quest
650 Rosaries
Find Jubilana, then unlock her at First Shrine

1. Bone Bottom: Pebb's Price

The first key is the easiest to understand and the hardest to afford early on. I walked up to Pebb the merchant in Bone Bottom, and he wanted 500 Rosaries. That felt like a fortune when I was still learning how to survive. I farmed, completed wishes, and scraped together the cost. If you are short, do not rush into every locked door you see. Trust me, the key is not going anywhere.

2. Sinner's Road: The Top-Floor Ambush

Sinner's Road taught me that vertical exploration is its own kind of horror. The second Simple Key sits in the top northeastern corner. You need the double jump or the clawline to cling to walls and climb to the top. Hit the lever to access the top floor, and then get ready. Hornet is ambushed by a big enemy. I died twice before I learned its rhythm, but defeating it rewards the key. Who would have thought a simple climb could turn into a boss fight?

3. Sands of Karak: A Dead Bug's Gift

The third key is a test of speed and nerve. In the Sands of Karak, I had to hit a branch and move quickly before the path disappeared. Once I was far east, I kept going in the same direction until I reached a bench with a body on it. I grabbed the Simple Key from the dead bug. It is grim, but in Pharloom, grim is just another word for Tuesday.

4. The Wandering Merchant: Jubilana's Final Key

The last key comes from The Wandering Merchant quest. I found Jubilana, then returned to the First Shrine to unlock her as a merchant. After collecting 650 Rosaries, I bought the Simple Key. It is expensive, but by this point you should have a decent Rosary route. If you do not, hunt down wishes and sell what you can spare.

Where to Use Every Simple Lock

Now for the part that actually matters. A key without a lock is just a shiny regret. Here is where I used each one.

Deep Docks: The Bellway Door

From the Deep Docks Bellway, head right to the lower door. Attack the lever to go down deeper and enter the path below the Forge Daughter. At the end, there is a locked door that reveals a huge part of the Deep Docks. You can access this area later from Far Fields after acquiring certain abilities, but using the Simple Key here gives you a head start with exploration. I chose the early route, and it paid off.

Sinner's Road: The Green Prince's Cage

In the vertical room right next to the bench where Shakra is singing in Sinner's Road, I found the Green Prince imprisoned in a cage. Climb a few cages, then glide down the left to access the Simple Lock. The NPC asks Hornet not to free him, but you have to do it to trigger his quest. Sometimes being a hero means ignoring good advice.

Wormways: The Alchemist's Assistant and Sharpdart

Upon accessing Wormways, keep going left while avoiding the falling worms until a door eventually appears. This opens more parts of the area, lets you complete the Alchemist’s Assistant quest, and unlocks the Sharpdart skill. That skill is hidden behind a Needolin door that can only be reached by using the clawline and double jump abilities.



Sharpdart is worth the trouble. It changes how you move and fight, and it makes some later platforming sections far less cruel.

High Halls: Rosary Cannon and Pale Rosary Necklace

The door in High Halls is easily accessed from the station location. Unlock the door and head inside to find an obstacle blocking the path leading up. Destroy and navigate the tunnels while avoiding the deadly wheels until you reach the end. There are two paths available. Head down first to get the Rosary Cannon, then go up to collect a lot of Rosaries and open a chest containing the Pale Rosary Necklace. I went up first once, and I regretted it. Learn from my mistake.

Final Thoughts

Simple Keys are not just items. They are choices. Each one forces you to decide which part of Pharloom you want to open early, and which part can wait. In 2026, with more players than ever crawling through Silksong, I still see the same question: where do I use this key? My answer is simple. Use it where it hurts least to wait, and where it helps most to explore now. For me, that meant Deep Docks first, then the Green Prince, then Wormways, and finally High Halls. Your path may differ, but at least now you know where every key hides. Good luck out there, and do not waste your Rosaries on regret.

If hunting down four Simple Keys taught you anything, it's that patience and a bit of planning stretch your resources further than impulse ever will. The same logic applies to building your library. Most of us have a wishlist full of games we'd happily play right now but not at full price, and waiting for the right moment to buy is its own kind of sequence break — you skip the sting and still get where you wanted to go. That's exactly the problem cheapest steam keys was built to solve, gathering discounted keys from reputable sellers into one place so you're not tab-hopping between storefronts comparing numbers.

DealNest keeps that comparison quick: browse current listings, check the price against what you'd pay on Steam directly, and buy only when the discount actually justifies it. It won't tell you which metroidvania to play next, but it can make the backlog cheaper to build while you wait for the next patch, DLC, or sale. Think of it as one more lock worth opening early — the only difference is that this one saves you money instead of Rosaries.

I've been a Borderlands fan since the original, and like many of you, I was left feeling a bit... underwhelmed by Borderlands 3. The humor felt forced, the villains were annoying, and the story just didn't land. So when Borderlands 4 was announced, I was cautiously optimistic. Now that we're in 2026 and the dust has settled, the reviews are in, and it looks like Gearbox might have actually pulled it off. But is it the massive improvement everyone hoped for, or did they play it too safe? Let's dive in.



The Consensus: A Big Step Up from Borderlands 3

If you've been living under a rock, here's the scoop: Borderlands 4 is being praised as a course correction for the series. Our own review at Screen Rant boldly called it "the best game in the series so far." IGN said it's "the massive kick in the pants [the series] needed" after "fizzling somewhat with Borderlands 3." That's high praise, right? Even other outlets agree it's a step in the right direction, even if it's not perfect.

But here's where it gets interesting. GameSpot noted that Borderlands 4 fixing its predecessor's issues also works "to its detriment." They said, "Borderlands 4 is cranked so far in the other direction that the resulting game feels like a strange imitation of the series." Ouch. So, is it possible to overcorrect? Maybe. But from what I've seen, the core looter-shooter gameplay is still intact and satisfying, so I'm willing to forgive a little identity crisis.

The Villain Problem: Timekeeper vs. Handsome Jack

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the antagonist. Borderlands 3 gave us the Twins, who were widely considered annoying and cringey. Borderlands 4 introduces The Timekeeper. According to GamesRadar, "The Timekeeper is a very safe antagonist – which is an improvement upon Borderlands 3's actively abrasive Twins, but still rather dull." So, not a home run, but at least he's not actively hated.



GameSpot added that "Borderlands 4 seems to do everything in its power to make sure that its characters cannot be hated." Is that a good thing? Well, after the Twins, maybe a safe, inoffensive villain is exactly what the series needed. It's like they said, "Let's not make everyone mad this time." And honestly, I'll take dull over grating any day.

Open World and Gameplay: The Real Star

The big advancement here is the open-world design. Reviews are celebrating it as a high point. I've always loved the semi-open areas of previous games, but a full open world? That sounds like a dream. The gameplay is making significant strides, and many reviewers note that the series' typically irreverent humor comes out in the side content, while the main story is a bit more dramatic. That balance might be the key to pleasing both old-school fans and newcomers.



Is It the Best in the Series?

Screen Rant's assertion that it's the best game in the series is particularly interesting, since Borderlands 2 has reigned supreme since 2012. Handsome Jack is a tough act to follow. The Timekeeper doesn't appear to be Handsome Jack-level compelling, but the gameplay iteration seems to have picked up the slack. So, can a game with a "safe" story and a "dull" villain still be the best? If the gameplay is that good, absolutely.

Let's break down the pros and cons as I see them based on the reviews:

Pros ✅
Cons ❌

Open-world design is a delight
Story is safe and unremarkable

Gameplay improvements are significant
Villain is dull compared to Handsome Jack

Humor is back in side content
Main story takes itself more seriously (could be good or bad)

Fixes many of Borderlands 3's issues
Overcorrection makes it feel like an imitation at times

My Take: Cautiously Optimistic

As a longtime fan, I'm excited. It sounds like Borderlands 4 is a hit, taking significant strides and making a concerted effort to fix its predecessor's issues. Will it dethrone Borderlands 2 in my heart? Only time will tell. But for now, I'm just happy that Gearbox seems to be listening to the fans. What do you think? Are you ready to dive back into Pandora (or wherever this one takes place)? Let me know in the comments!

? So there you have it. Borderlands 4 might not be perfect, but it's a massive step in the right direction. And after the misstep of Borderlands 3, that's exactly what the series needed. Whether you're a veteran Vault Hunter or a newcomer, it sounds like there's plenty to love here. I know I'll be jumping back in.

Of course, all this excitement comes with the usual question: when and where to actually pick it up. With multiple editions, pre-order bonuses, and platform-specific offers flying around, prices can vary a lot between storefronts, and the difference is often more than a few bucks. If you'd rather not overpay out of sheer hype, it's worth taking five minutes to compare prices here before committing to a copy.

DealNest gathers listings in one place so you can see how the Standard, Deluxe, and Vault Hunter editions stack up across retailers without opening a dozen tabs. Whether you're grabbing it on day one or waiting for that first inevitable discount, a quick look beforehand means more leftover cash for the Season Pass — and honestly, that's a deal any Vault Hunter can get behind.

I still remember the frustration of wandering through Bellhart's Wish Board, staring at empty slots, wondering why Shakra's plea for help never showed up. But after hours of trial and error, I finally triggered the Trail's End quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong — and let me tell you, the reward is absolutely worth it. If you're stuck like I was, here's exactly how I did it, step by step.



What Is the Trail's End Quest?

Trail's End is a Wayfarer-type quest, much like the My Missing Brother quest. Shakra, the wandering warrior, is searching for her master, and she asks Hornet — that's you — to meet her in the sewers near the Citadel, also known as Bilewater. Completing it rewards you with Shakra's gratitude and a powerful tool: the Throwing Ring. Sounds simple, right? But triggering it? That's where things get tricky.

How to Trigger the Quest

First things first: you need to grab the quest from the Wish Board in Bellhart. Of course, the Bellhart curse must be removed for the board to display any available quests, and you can only pick it up in Act 2. But what if the Trail's End quest just won't appear? I ran into that exact problem. Here's what solved it for me:

Locate Shakra and purchase all the map pieces if you haven't already. This is crucial — she won't offer the quest if you haven't bought her maps.

Complete the first and second batches of wishes already on the board. The game seems to gate new quests behind your progress.

Try acquiring some Melodies, like the Architect's and Vaultkeeper's, after defeating the Cogwork Dancers boss. I grabbed both, and the quest popped up shortly after.

Meeting Shakra in Bilewater

Once the quest is active, Shakra asks you to meet her in Bilewater to finally find her master. She can be found under a waterfall in the northeast part of Bilewater, along a path that only unlocks during the Trail's End quest. If you've already obtained the Key of Apostate by climbing Bilewater to reach Putrified Ducts, you're in luck — it's the exact same route. For those who haven't, start from the area's Bellway and go up, then turn right. You'll spot one of Shakra's rings, which Hornet can use to track the warrior's trail.

Step-by-Step Path (From My Own Playthrough)

Head right across the swamp into a long vertical room. Another ring appears here.

Use the double jump to go up, and use the vertical platforms to shield Hornet from enemy attacks. Climb higher to the room on the right.

Keep going in the same direction until another vertical room appears. Take advantage of the green bulbs and enemies to push yourself up with the clawline skill, landing on the higher left platform.

Use the same technique to go up towards the path that unlocks through the Trail's End quest, and cling to the wall.

Proceed forward along the path until you reach the waterfall where Shakra is with her master.

Here's a quick summary table I made for myself:

Step
Action
Tip

1
Grab quest from Bellhart Wish Board
Remove curse first, Act 2 only

2
Buy all map pieces from Shakra
Don't skip this!

3
Complete first two wish batches
Progress gates

4
Defeat Cogwork Dancers, get Melodies
Architect's & Vaultkeeper's

5
Follow rings in Bilewater
Use clawline & double jump

6
Reach waterfall, meet Shakra
Quest complete!

Why Bother? The Reward

After all that climbing, jumping, and dodging, you finally reach the waterfall. Shakra is there with her master, and the quest completes. Your reward? The Throwing Ring — a powerful tool that I've been using ever since. It's a game-changer for ranged combat, especially against flying enemies. Was it worth the headache of triggering the quest? Absolutely. ?

Final Thoughts

Silksong doesn't always make its quest triggers obvious. The Trail's End quest is a perfect example: you need the right map pieces, the right wish progress, and even specific Melodies. But once you know the steps, it's a breeze. So, have you triggered Trail's End yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Grab that quest, head to Bilewater, and give Shakra a hand. Trust me — you'll be glad you did.

If there's one lesson this quest teaches, it's that a little patience and the right route pay off far better than brute force. That same mindset carries over into how I shop for games now — instead of grabbing the first full-price listing I see, I take a few extra minutes to compare prices and see what's actually discounted before committing. Lately, that habit has led me to game deals today, where DealNest rounds up current discounts across a range of platforms so you don't have to sift through a dozen storefronts yourself.

Whether you're filling the gap between Silksong sessions or finally clearing out your wishlist, it's worth checking what's on offer before you buy. A quick look at DealNest can save you enough to justify picking up that next adventure — no backtracking required.

A better Ultimate Team doesn't always come from chasing the highest overall on the market. It comes from knowing what breaks down in your own games. Maybe your quarterback misses throws under pressure. Maybe a corner gets beaten over the top every other drive. That's where Madden 27 coins can make a real difference, especially when you spend with a plan instead of grabbing the newest card just because everyone else is talking about it. Start by looking at how you actually play. If you throw quick passes, a speedy deep threat might matter less than a receiver who gets open fast underneath. If you live in nickel defense, another strong corner could be worth more than an expensive run-stopping linebacker. The card with the biggest rating isn't always the one that fixes your team.

Quarterback and Running Back Choices

Quarterback is usually where people spend too much, too soon. Sure, a top passer feels great, but the difference between two expensive options can be tiny if they both fit your offense. Look at throw power, short accuracy, medium accuracy, release speed, and mobility. Then be honest about your habits. If you roll out often, a quarterback with enough speed to escape pressure can save drives. If you prefer sitting in the pocket, awareness and accuracy matter more. Don't pay extra for traits you barely use. At running back, speed gets the attention, but acceleration, carrying, catching, and change of direction often show up more during a close game. A back who holds onto the ball, picks up blitzes, and catches a checkdown can stay in your lineup for weeks. It's not always about hitting a huge run. Sometimes it's about turning second-and-eight into third-and-two.

Receivers and the Offensive Line

Your receiving group works better when each player brings something different. One wideout can stretch the field. Another can win on slants, drags, and corner routes. A bigger target can help near the goal line or when coverage gets tight. Three players with nearly identical ratings may look good on the lineup screen, but they won't give you many answers once the defense starts taking away your favorite route. Tight ends deserve attention here too. A reliable one can make life much easier against linebackers and safeties. On the line, focus on the spot that gives you trouble. If edge pressure ruins your passing game, upgrade the tackles first. If inside runs go nowhere, look at guards and center. Strength, awareness, pass blocking, and run blocking all matter, but don't get lost in every number. Watch a few games. You'll usually notice which lineman is getting pushed back or letting someone through.

Spend on Defensive Problems First

Defense is where smart roster building can feel the most personal. A zone-heavy player needs defenders who react well, cover space, and don't lose their heads when the ball is in the air. If you call man coverage a lot, speed, man ratings, press ability, and recovery can carry more weight. Corners are often worth paying for because one weak matchup can change an entire game. Safeties matter just as much if you give up deep passes or struggle to stop tight ends over the middle. Up front, don't just chase sack totals. A defensive end who creates pressure can force rushed throws, even if someone else gets the credit. Interior linemen with strength and block-shedding can wreck runs before they start. Think about the plays that annoy you most. If mobile quarterbacks keep escaping, add speed on the edge. If opponents pound the middle, build stronger inside.

Keep Room for the Next Upgrade

It's tempting to spend every last coin the moment you see an upgrade, but that usually leaves your roster stuck when a better fit appears later. Keep some resources aside for new releases, matchup needs, or a player whose price drops after the early rush. You'll also get more from your team by replacing one obvious weak link at a time. That approach feels slower, but it keeps every purchase useful. When you decide to buy mut coins , use that extra room to target positions that affect your actual results, then let the rest of the roster grow naturally over time.

Putting together an effective Ultimate Team at the start of FC 27 is less about chasing the loudest card and more about spotting what your squad actually needs. It is easy to pour everything into one elite forward, then realise your midfield cannot keep the ball for two passes. A smarter approach is to spread your budget across players who cover for each other. With FC 27 Coins, you can target a reliable core first, then add the fun luxury picks later. You will notice the difference quickly: fewer loose transitions, more options on the ball, and a side that still works when a match gets scrappy. Ratings matter, sure, but they do not tell the whole story. Traits, body type, work rates, and how a player feels in tight spaces can matter just as much.

Start With the Players Who Connect Everything

Midfield is where most early squads either click or fall apart. You do not need three stars there. You need roles that make sense. One player should be comfortable sitting in front of the centre-backs, receiving the ball under pressure, and making the simple pass. The other midfielder can have more freedom to carry it forward or arrive near the box. That pairing keeps your shape from stretching out every time you lose possession. Look beyond passing and dribbling numbers, too. Stamina is huge over a full match. Defensive awareness helps even a more creative player recover into useful areas. A midfielder with decent pace, calm passing, and enough strength to hold off a challenge will often do more for your team than a card with one eye-catching stat. If you are constantly getting caught in the middle, do not rush to replace your defenders. The issue may be right in front of them.

Build a Back Line That Can Recover

There is a reason quick centre-backs always draw attention, but raw pace alone is not the answer. A defender still has to read runs, turn without feeling heavy, and win contact when an attacker gets close. Try to pair players whose strengths cover different situations. One might be stronger and better in the air. The other may be quicker over the first few yards and better at chasing a through ball. It is a simple setup, yet it saves plenty of goals. Full-backs deserve the same thought. If yours are joining every attack, somebody has to stay behind and protect the space they leave. A holding midfielder can do that job, but only if you set the role up properly. Many players blame their centre-backs after a counterattack. Often, the real problem is that both wide defenders were halfway up the pitch with nobody covering them.

Give Your Front Line Different Jobs

Attackers work better when they are not all trying to make the same run. If you enjoy fast breaks, use one forward who can burst beyond the defence and another who can take the ball with their back to goal. That second player does not need to score every match. Sometimes their value is in bringing wingers and midfielders into play. For a patient possession style, focus more on first touch, short passing, and close control. A striker who keeps the ball alive around the edge of the area can be a real nuisance. Do not get drawn in by shooting alone. A card may look deadly on the screen, then spend the whole match standing behind a defender or misplacing easy passes. Play a few matches before judging. The way a player moves off the ball tells you far more than a quick look at the item details.

Spend With a Clear Reason

When the squad feels off, change one or two things rather than tearing it all down. Keep an eye on the patterns in your matches. Maybe you create plenty but lack a composed finisher. Maybe wide players are getting isolated. Maybe your midfield disappears once the opponent presses. Those are useful clues, and they point to a specific upgrade instead of a random purchase. Squad Foundations, Evolutions, and SBC content can also fill gaps without forcing you to replace half the team. If you decide to add resources through cheap FIFA Coins , put them toward the position that changes your matches most, whether that is a steady midfielder, a mobile centre-back, or an attacker who suits the way you like to play. A good squad does not need to be packed with famous names. It needs players who make each other better.

In September 2026, good runs are less about grabbing whatever shines and more about knowing what earns its slot. Delta Force Items can look tempting at first glance, especially after a rough extraction, but price alone doesn't tell the whole story. A compact task part, a healing refill, or a piece you'll need for the next upgrade can beat a bulky trophy every time. Your stash should feel useful, not like a cupboard full of stuff you're scared to sell.

Value Starts With Purpose

First, check what the item actually does for you. Does it finish a task? Feed an upgrade? Keep your preferred kit running? If yes, hold onto a sensible amount. Players often dump materials early, then spend several runs hunting for the exact same thing later. That's a painful loop. Keep enough for your active plans, then move the rest along once duplicates start eating space.

Second, think about timing. An item that seems average today might matter tomorrow if you're close to a storage upgrade or a weapon setup change. Still, don't keep ten copies "just in case." One or two is usually plenty for uncommon supplies. The useful habit is checking your stash after a few solid raids, not waiting until every slot is packed and decisions get rushed.

What Usually Goes Wrong Mid Run

The Meta: Players cram bags with pricey-looking loot and ignore practical supplies.

The Snag: Heavy clutter forces bad drops when better loot appears.

The Fix: Reserve slots early for compact task items and medical gear.

Reality check: That "rare" object feels great until it fills three slots and sells for less than your spare parts.

Quick Bag Decisions That Actually Help

When the backpack starts getting tight, use a simple comparison instead of staring at every icon. Ask three things: how much space does it take, how likely are you to use it soon, and what would replace it if you leave it behind? Weight matters too. A decent haul isn't worth much if it slows your route and makes extraction feel like a long walk through bad territory.

Loot type Best reason to keep When to move it on
Task materials Needed for active objectives Extra copies exceed your next requirement
Medical supplies Supports repeated Operations runs Your reserve already covers several kits
Bulky valuables Strong return per successful extraction Compact high-demand loot replaces them

That's the whole point of the table: it gives you a fast call when pressure is on. A small item with a clear purpose often beats a large item with a vague future. Don't throw away useful gear for pocket change, though. If you're one part away from an upgrade, that part has more value to you than its sale price suggests.

The Question Players Keep Asking

A lot of players wonder whether they should sell every duplicate after a good streak, especially when currency feels low and storage is getting crowded.

Not every duplicate. Keep a working reserve, sell the overflow, and adjust that reserve around what you actually run each week.

Make Each Extraction Feed the Next One

The best stash management feels almost boring, and that's a good sign. You extract, sort quickly, keep what supports your current route, and sell what's just taking up room. Build around your own habits too. If you run risky close-range kits, supplies and replacement attachments may matter more than decorative valuables. If you're saving for a larger upgrade, be stricter with dead weight. Before you buy Delta Force Items, decide what problem that purchase solves, then spend with intent instead of impulse. A clean stash means faster loadouts, calmer decisions, and fewer runs ending with the feeling that you carried home a bag full of nothing.

As I neared the end of Hollow Knight: Silksong, I found myself chasing the last of the three melodies needed to reach The Cradle. And of course, it was the Conductor's Melody that stood between me and the finale. Getting there meant surviving the High Halls and one of the most brutal enemy wave arenas I've ever faced—harder, in my opinion, than most dedicated boss fights in the game. So here's how I did it.



Accessing the High Halls

You reach the High Halls through the Choral Chambers. Exit out the top left side of the map, but don't bother unless you have the Clawline (grappling hook) ability. Trust me, you literally cannot explore this area without it. And if you want all the secrets, I'd also wait until you have the Faydown Cloak (double jump). I learned that the hard way.



High Halls Walkthrough + Secrets

After climbing the grappling hooks, you enter an area with a cascading stream running downward. Your goal is to go against the current. Stay out of the water by grappling and avoid enemies. The first foe is a sword-wielding bug called a Maestro with three little minions circling him. Jump attack between their gaps and leap over the minions he throws.

Next, you enter a room where you can either rise up via a rotating grapple or float down while popping into each room. The bottom room has a shard cluster—nothing special—so head up. You'll meet a floating enemy called a Minister. These are deadly and can deal two masks of damage if you get caught in their flurry. Use ranged tools if you have them, or aggro them, wait for their attack to end, then pogo a few times and repeat.

At the top, there's an exit that needs double jump. If you have it, check it out—it's a rough platforming sequence where you fight two Ministers while grappling up. Survive and you'll get a Spool Fragment. After that, drop back and head right to ascend further upstream. Fight another Maestro, but when two Ministers pop up, ignore them and gun for the exit on the right.

This takes you to an area where you can go up or down. Up leads to a chest full of Rosaries, so poke around quickly. Then carefully use your Drifter's Cloak to float down through gaps in the spikes below. Latch onto grapples and hang there to reveal gaps and gradually find a path down. You'll come to a room on the left—head inside.

Inside, there's a workbench where you can craft the Cogfly Tool if you have Craftmetal. This spawns little minions of your own in battle. It has a high shard cost but is very effective. After that, drop down the running waterfall and jump through to reveal a secret path. It has a shard cluster, but an enemy spawns in a tight space, so skip it if your health is low.

Head back out to the left and keep floating down. Avoid the enemy outside if you didn't kill them—they won't follow. Once you navigate the spikes, go into the left room to find a Frayed Rosary String in a giant baby stroller. Then head back out and down to find a Ventrica Station (unlock for 80 Rosaries) and a bench. You can also buy a map for 70 Rosaries.

The only unexplored area is the far end of the hall to your left. There's a shortcut back to the Choral Chamber, and further along is the battle arena from hell that stands between you and the Conductor's Melody. Good luck.



Preparing for the Conductor's Battle Arena

You could go in blind, but you'll have a bad time unless you prepare. None of this is essential, but it helps massively. Here's the Crest and Tool setup I used:

Slot
Tool
Why

Crest
Crest of the Reaper
Passively collect silk more consistently → heal more often

Red
Weavelight
Synergy with Reaper for silk generation

Blue
Warding Bell
Safety net when you can't heal

Yellow
Scuttlebrace
Extra maneuverability (interchangeable)

Yellow
Ascendant's Grip
Key for final phase—hang on walls indefinitely

Yellow
Threefold Pin
Great for crowd control each wave

Yellow
Cogfly
Passive damage from safety toward the end

The Ascendant's Grip is crucial. The mini-bosses can't hit you when you're hanging on the wall, giving you time to regroup and harpoon to safety.

How to Get the Conductor's Melody (Wave by Wave)

Okay, let's walk through this hell one wave at a time.

Wave 1: Envoy + two Reeds

Take out the flying enemies first by continuously pogoing in the air, then kill the Envoy between charge attacks. You can clear this without touching the ground.



Wave 2: Two Choristors

Their thread attack hits for two masks. Pogo when safe, but if they wind up for a stronger attack, dash across the room.



Wave 3: Reed, Bellbearer, Clawmaiden

Prioritize the Clawmaiden—it steals your silk and healing. Heal or use a silk skill immediately to avoid waste. Watch for bouncing bells from the Bellbearer.

Wave 4: Two Ministers

You know these from the High Halls, but now you have a solid floor. Take your time, carve openings, and don't pogo too much—they're more dangerous in the air. When one dies, a Clawmaiden appears. Use your silk and kill it fast.



Wave 5: Two Maestro minions

Focus one and clear it fast while watching for Cogfly attacks from the other side. Then the leftover is easy.

Mini-Boss 1: Choir Clapper

This hulking beast has four attacks: a slam that creates a light bubble AOE, a slam that creates a pulsing ground wave, a standard slam, and a jumping slam. The standard slam is most dangerous—harpoon or sprint away immediately. Use walls to avoid the bubble, hop toward them for the ground pulse and get a few hits, and when they jump, dash below and hit from behind. Practice makes perfect.



Wave 6: Two Reeds + one Bellbearer

Nothing new. Take the Bellbearer out first to avoid stray bells.

Wave 7: Two Bellbearers + one Reed

Same strategy. A Clawmaiden will pop in—kill it as fast as it appears.

Wave 8: Bellbearer + two Ministers

Take out the Bellbearer fast, then the Ministers are trivial on the ground.



Wave 9: Reed + Maestro

Use your Threefold Pin to kill the Reed fast, then deal with the Cogfly enemy.

Final Phase: Two mini-bosses together

This is a nightmare. Spam all your weapon tools immediately, then get to the top of the screen and hang on the wall. Use your grapple hook to reach the safest side, get a few hits, then climb the other wall and repeat. Once you clear one, come down and fight the other like the first mini-boss. Survive this, and you've cleared the arena.



Easier said than done, but I believe in you. The Conductor's Melody is worth every drop of sweat. ??

Boss gauntlets like this one reward patience more than raw reflexes, and the same applies to building a library of challenging action games. If clearing this arena has you itching for the next brutal challenge, or you're just curious what similar titles are going for right now, it helps to know where the discounts are before you commit. DealNest keeps an eye on current pricing across platforms, so you can quickly check game prices and see whether that title on your wishlist has finally dropped.

Whether you're hunting for a sequel, a similar soulslite, or a completely different genre to cool down with after all that wall-climbing, having a reliable price tracker saves both money and time. Give the arena another shot tomorrow—and let your wallet rest tonight.

It is 2026, and I have a confession: I am not a speedrunner. I am a normal player. I put my trousers on one leg at a time, I panic when a boss does a new move, and I have spent more time in Hollow Knight: Silksong's Greymoor than I care to admit. While I was busy being bullied by wave after wave of annoying birds, other people were beating the entire game in less time than it takes me to make a cup of tea and forget where I put it. What is wrong with me? Apparently, nothing. The consensus is that Silksong is pretty darn good. The only hang-up is that it is a little difficult. A little. Sure. And the sun is a little warm.

Back in September 2025, one week after its internet-breaking release, the speedrunning scene had already gone feral. The first person to post a sub-two-hour run was Onaku, with a time of 1:46. Then, hours later, they improved it to 1:19. Rival speedrunner BlueSR showed up and beat that with a 1:26, then kept plugging away until they shaved more minutes off and finished Silksong in 1:17. A new world record. And then? That record reportedly lasted just 11 minutes. Eleven minutes! I cannot even decide which bench to sit on in eleven minutes. By the time I typed this sentence, someone had probably already beaten the game while blindfolded, using a dance mat, and holding a conversation about gardening.

Let me put the early chaos into a table, because tables make my inadequacy feel organized.

Runner
Time
What I was doing

Onaku
1:46
Dying to birds

Onaku
1:19
Dying to different birds

BlueSR
1:26
Staring at a map

BlueSR
1:17
Still dying to birds



Speedruns are only going to get faster, too. Team Cherry confirmed that Silksong's first big update would make early game bosses Moorwing and Sister Splinter easier to beat. Just imagine how quickly people will finish the game once those changes are applied. Actually, do not imagine it. I am already intimidated enough. If Moorwing becomes less of a wall, the wall becomes a door, and speedrunners are going to kick that door down and sprint through Pharloom like they forgot to turn off the oven.

It is possible people have beaten Silksong even faster, and we will not know for sure just how quickly people are racing through Pharloom for another few weeks. The speedrun leaderboards for the Hollow Knight sequel opened on September 30, 2025. At that point, players could submit their runs and see how they stack up against some of Silksong's other speedrunners. Now that we are in 2026, those leaderboards are probably a graveyard of my self-esteem. The records from that first week are cute little history exhibits. The current times? I do not want to know. But I also absolutely want to know.

How do we gauge how far people can go? Look at the original Hollow Knight. Its record runs are almost down to just 30 minutes. According to HowLongToBeat, the first game takes, on average, five hours longer to finish than Silksong. Five hours! That is a whole workday of bug-related suffering. Maybe, by the time people are done, we could see players speeding through the sequel in less than half an hour. Maybe someone will beat it during a lunch break. Maybe someone already has. Maybe the true final boss is the leaderboard itself.

I am no speedrunner. If you are firmly in the camp of people who are enjoying Silksong but struggling with its difficulty, I am right there with you. I mentioned in the headline that Onaku beat the game in less time than it takes me to beat some of its boss fights, and that is kind of true. I am currently stuck on the bit in Greymoor where you have to beat wave after wave of annoying birds before you can progress. I am fairly certain I have been stuck there for at least two hours. Two hours. That is longer than some people needed to finish the entire game. I have not finished one screen. I have not even finished one bird. The birds are winning. The birds have always been winning.

So what is taking me so long? I would like to blame the game. I would like to blame the birds. I would like to blame the fact that I keep pressing the wrong button because I am too busy admiring the art. But the truth is simpler: speedrunners are built different. They see a boss and think, ah, a minor inconvenience. I see a boss and think, ah, a new reason to lie down. They memorize frames. I memorize the sound of my own defeat. They optimize routes. I optimize excuses.

Still, there is hope. Silksong is a great game, even when it is kicking my teeth in. The difficulty is part of the charm, or at least that is what I tell myself while a bird the size of a small horse dive-bombs me for the fourteenth time. If you need me, I will be in Greymoor, practicing the ancient art of not learning from my mistakes. The speedrunners can have their 1:17. I will have my two-hour bird marathon. We are both beating the game, just at very different definitions of beating.

And hey, maybe one day I will submit my run to the leaderboard. I will call it the comedy category. The judges will laugh. The birds will laugh. I will cry. It will be beautiful. ??

There is one small barrier between watching a 1:17 run and attempting your own: you actually have to own the game. If the birds of Greymoor have convinced you to take a breather and finally work through the rest of your backlog, or if you are eyeing a second copy for a friend who keeps insisting they could do better, it helps to know where the prices are lowest. DealNest is the kind of place worth bookmarking for that — it tracks down cheapest steam keys across a huge range of titles, so the money you save can go toward the emotional support snacks you will need for Pharloom.

Speedrunning is expensive in a different way: it costs time, sleep, and possibly a little sanity. Nobody is asking you to route-optimize your afternoon, but there is no reason to overpay for the privilege of getting dive-bombed by a horse-sized bird. Grab the game at a price that hurts less than the boss fights, settle in, and let the leaderboard stay a hypothetical for now.

When Hollow Knight: Silksong finally arrived in 2025, it did not simply meet expectations. It crushed them under a hail of spikes, winged beasts, and bosses that refused to forgive. By 2026, the game remains a beautiful, brutal landmark. One particular player, a wanderer who had adored the original Hollow Knight from a distance but never mastered it, stepped into Silksong with hope. They left the first hour bruised. The art was adorable. The music enchanted. The stories whispered from every mossy corner. Yet the combat and platforming demanded more than admiration. They demanded proof. ⚔️



The player quickly learned that Silksong was not interested in gentle onboarding. Standard enemies in the opening hour could deal double damage with ordinary attacks. Bosses layered deadly combos together, leaving no obvious escape. Trial and error was part of the experience, but after enough failures, the player understood why some people put the controller down and never returned. The game wanted mastery, and it wanted it immediately. ?️

Yet the player did not want to abandon the world. They loved the character designs, the haunting soundtrack, and the mythic stories unfolding around every corner. To enjoy those things, however, they needed to become a warrior who let nothing stand in their way. They believed they were capable. They also knew their patience had limits, especially with so many other responsibilities pulling at their time. That was the real conflict: not a lack of skill, but a lack of hours. ⏳



Mods Became a Personal Lantern

Thankfully, the player was not alone. By 2026, the modding community had already created thoughtful adjustments for Silksong. Some mods removed the excessive double damage that had made early enemies feel unfair. Others ensured that tools like the compass remained active at all times, turning exploration from a memory test into a gentler journey. None of these mods transformed the game into something unrecognizable. They simply filled in the cracks that many players had complained about. ?

With those changes, the player found a new rhythm. They could still be punished for careless mistakes. Bosses still demanded pattern recognition and precise movement. But they no longer felt buried by cheap damage. They had a chance to see more of Silksong, to breathe in its atmosphere, and to appreciate the craftsmanship without being constantly walled off from it. The challenge remained. It was simply curated to their preferences while keeping the heart and soul of the experience intact. ?

If a mod makes a game more enjoyable for more people, it is difficult to see how that could be a bad thing. The player was not asking for a victory button. They were asking for a version of the game that respected their time. And in 2026, that request feels less controversial than ever. Official difficulty options are common in many genres. Even FromSoftware games, which built their reputation on uncompromising design, could benefit from a selection of difficulty settings. The original vision would remain for those who want it. Others would simply get a door instead of a wall. ?

Celeste Already Showed the Way



The debate around Silksong reminded the player of Celeste. That masterful indie platformer was also very difficult. Its story involved climbing a literal mountain while facing inner demons, so the challenge made thematic sense. Playing Celeste without adjustments would kick most people around. Reaching the end of each level was possible for determined players, but seeing everything, including collectibles and bonus levels, was a Herculean task. ?️

Celeste offered an Assist Mode. Players could personally adjust game speed, stamina, air dashes, and invincibility. Turn everything up, and the game could be completed without taking a single hit. That was not the intended experience, but Celeste still offered it because player choice mattered. Maddy Makes Games had a narrative it wanted as many people as possible to experience. Even if that meant turning the gameplay into a delightful pixel-art walk in the park, the studio understood that accessibility did not erase the game's soul. ?

The player had used Assist Mode in Celeste and still considered it a masterpiece. They did not feel robbed of satisfaction. They felt included. That memory made the Silksong discourse feel painfully familiar. A difficult game can remain difficult while also offering ways for more people to reach its ending. The two ideas are not enemies. They are neighbors. ?️



The Strange Entitlement Around Difficulty

Unfortunately, video game difficulty settings still carry a bizarre aura of entitlement. Some players act as if their preferred way of playing is the only legitimate way. They forget that games are entertainment, art, and personal experiences. If someone uses mods to soften double damage or keeps a compass active, that choice does not diminish anyone else's victory. It does not remove the challenge from the original version. It simply allows another person to enjoy the same world. ?

The player eventually returned to Silksong with a mixture of mods and stubborn determination. They still died. They still cursed. They still felt their heart race during boss fights. But they also saw more of the Mossgreen Grotto. They heard more of the music. They uncovered more of the story. The game remained hard, and they remained proud of every small victory. The difference was that they were no longer locked out of the experience they had waited years to enjoy. ?

Approach
What It Changes
Why It Helps

Mods
Removes double damage, keeps compass active
Makes exploration and early combat less punishing

Celeste Assist Mode
Adjusts speed, stamina, dashes, invincibility
Allows more players to experience the narrative

Official difficulty options
Curates challenge through developer-approved settings
Respects player choice without altering the default vision

Hollow Knight: Silksong is a hard game, and hard games are not for everybody. But if mods or official means of tuning its challenge allow more people to reach the end or see everything it has to offer, the wider community should not complain. The player did not want Silksong to become easy. They wanted it to become theirs. By 2026, that seems like a reasonable wish. ?

In the end, the player climbed their own version of the mountain. They did not touch every spike with perfect grace. They did not defeat every boss on the first try. But they kept going, and they found joy in a world that had almost pushed them away. If that is not a victory worth celebrating, then perhaps the community needs to step outside, find some grass, and remember why people play games in the first place. ?

That same patience the player learned to apply inside Silksong has a strange way of showing up outside of it. Waiting for the right moment to strike an enemy, holding a dash until the last second, deciding when a risk is actually worth taking — these habits follow a person into other parts of life, including the way they spend money. Games like this one rarely go on sale at launch, and a sequel with years of anticipation behind it will hold its price for a long while. Watching a listing instead of buying on impulse, checking back after a seasonal event, noticing when a bundle quietly drops below its usual floor — that is its own kind of patient play.

For anyone who wants to keep an eye on prices without refreshing store pages every week, this price tracking tool at DealNest makes that waiting game a lot less tedious. It is a small thing, but so were the mods that let the player finish the mountain — a way to make an experience that felt closed off feel reachable again.

I still remember the moment I dropped into Choral Chambers in Hollow Knight: Silksong. It was 2026, long after the game's release, and I was replaying Act Two on a fresh save. The golden halls hummed with danger, my needle felt under-upgraded, and I had one stubborn goal: complete the Wandering Merchant wish. I had heard it unlocked Jubilana, a trader with high-tier goods in Songclave, and I was not going to skip her.

The wish itself does not appear until Songclave exists. That is the first trap. You cannot simply wander into Choral Chambers and expect Jubilana to be waiting. You need to reach Act Two and beat the Last Judge to enter the Citadel. Before the main stretch of Choral Chambers, you must pass through the Underworks. By the time I stumbled out of those pipes and into the choir-lit city, I was already bruised. But the route was clear enough: head all the way to the right edge of Choral Chambers, climb upward, and look for an open space at the top.



There, I found the entrance to the First Shrine. Inside, I used my Silk Skills to clear away the thick silk blocking the way. The moment the last strand snapped, the Shrine opened and became Songclave. It felt like a small victory before the real hunt began. Outside the shrine, a wishboard waited. I took the Wandering Merchant request from it, and the objective appeared on my screen with a simple, tantalizing hint: find Jubilana, last seen in the bottom parts of Choral Chambers.

So I set off. The route to Jubilana is not long, but it is easy to overshoot if you are impatient. I started at the Choral Chambers bellway on the bottom right side. From the bellway, I exited to the vertical area on the left and began climbing. The first exit on my left looked tempting. I ignored it. Instead, I took the second exit as I went up. Then I kept moving left until I reached another large vertical area.

Here is where I nearly got lost. In that second vertical shaft, you want to go directly left and take the first exit you see. That exit leads to a small room with a dead end. It looks like a mistake at first. It is not. Two enemies guard the space. I defeated them both, and then I talked to Jubilana. The wish completed, and she was safe.



That was not quite the end of my curiosity, though. One of Jubilana's wares sits high up in that vertical area, and at first glance it looks like a double-jump puzzle. In 2026, most players know the trick, but I still enjoy it: bring a flying enemy close to that spot and downward strike it. The bounce launches you high enough to reach the ledge. It is a classic Silksong moment, turning a movement limitation into a combat opportunity.

After saving Jubilana, I returned to Songclave and found her selling her wares near the First Shrine. Seeing her set up shop was satisfying. She offers high-tier items, and for a mid-Act Two player, her stock can change how you approach the next few bosses. I picked up what I could afford and immediately felt stronger.

If I were giving advice to my past self, I would put it in a short checklist:

Step
What to do

1
Beat the Last Judge and enter the Citadel in Act Two.

2
Pass through the Underworks and reach Choral Chambers.

3
Go to the right edge, climb up, and enter the First Shrine.

4
Use Silk Skills to clear the silk and create Songclave.

5
Take the Wandering Merchant wish from the wishboard outside.

6
Start at the bottom-right Choral Chambers bellway.

7
Exit left into the vertical area and climb.

8
Ignore the first left exit; take the second.

9
Keep left to the next big vertical area.

10
Take the first left exit into the dead-end room.

11
Defeat the two enemies and talk to Jubilana.

12
Return to Songclave to shop near the First Shrine.

What I love about this wish is how much it rewards attention. It is not a boss fight. It is not a massive dungeon. It is a test of whether you have learned to read Choral Chambers. The bellway, the vertical shafts, the false dead end, the flying enemy trick—all of it feels like a compact lesson in Silksong's design. And the payoff is a merchant who stays with you.

In 2026, with so many guides and route maps available, it is easy to reduce a quest like this to a checklist. But I still recommend doing it slowly. Let yourself get turned around. Fight the two guards with your current build. Try the downward strike trick even if you have already unlocked double jump. The Wandering Merchant wish is short, but it captures everything I enjoy about Hollow Knight: Silksong: exploration, danger, and the quiet relief of finding a friendly face in a hostile city.

If you are stuck, remember the core path: Songclave first, wishboard second, bottom-right bellway third, dead-end room last. Save Jubilana, and she will be waiting near the First Shrine, ready to sell you the tools you need for whatever horror comes next. ?️

Silksong is the kind of game that makes you want to see what else is out there in the same vein—other metroidvanias, other punishing action-platformers, whatever studio Team Cherry's long shadow has inspired. The problem is that wishlists grow faster than paychecks, and Steam sales come and go without much warning. Keeping an eye on a steam sale tracker like DealNest takes the guesswork out of it, so you are not refreshing store pages every Tuesday hoping the price finally dropped on that one game you have been circling for months.

It is a small thing, but it fits the same instinct this whole quest rewards: paying attention. You learned to read Choral Chambers instead of brute-forcing it, and you can read a store page the same way—know when a discount is real, know when to wait, know when to buy. DealNest just makes that part a little less tedious.